July 25th, 2014
If you join an established company or business, then you will receive training as a matter of course. It’s likely you will be mentored by experienced members of staff who will check your work and give you advice as you develop your skills. However, this isn’t the case when you set up your own business, move into offices for let and start out on your own.
Anyone launching a business start-up is likely to feel they are being thrown in at the deep end. Although you may well have skills that you have developed through previous jobs, running your own company is different, and will require new skills. Also, an increasing number of new graduates start up their own business straight after leaving university, so they can’t rely on expertise built through previous jobs.
When you are setting up your business, you may well think of your key skills as being the ones associated with the products or services you are selling. For instance, if you are a graphic designer then your artistic flair is your unique selling point and the thing that will win you customers. However, equally important are the skills you will need to run your own business. Here is a look at some of those that are most vital:
Organisation: This is absolutely essential to any successful business. You need to be constantly on top of all the admin tasks which any business needs, while at the same time keeping track of deadlines and ensuring you hit them.
Leadership: You might be starting out as a one-man or woman band, but, as your business grows, it is likely you will take on staff. You will then need the ability to lead them, striking the balance between being authoritative and building a good working relationship. You also need to know how to foster and promote their talents.
Budgeting: You don’t have to be a financial expert to set out in business. However, you will need to develop your budgeting skills, factoring in all expenses from the cost of your office rental to bills for IT and phone services. Drawing up a business plan is a vital first step in setting up any new venture, as anyone who has watched an episode of ‘Dragons’ Den’ will know. The next step is to monitor your cashflow and ensure you keep to that plan. Even if you intend to employ an accountant, it’s still essential to have a grasp of the basics of your company’s finances yourself.
Communication: It’s no good having a great product or business idea if you can’t convince anyone else of its merit. Part of becoming a successful business owner is the ability to convey your enthusiasm to everyone from suppliers to customers. You need to be able to explain clearly what you expect from others and what you can provide in turn.
Help from the Startup
So how do you acquire these skills, and all the others you are likely need, ranging from IT to sales and marketing? Of course, you can and will learn on the job through trial and error, but there is a danger that mistakes caused by lack of experience could prove expensive. It’s therefore a good idea to get some training in any areas where you feel you need help.
A number of schemes have been set up to provide advice, mentoring and training for new entrepreneurs, including some backed by the Government. You can find out what is available in your area by talking to other small business owners. Networking with others working in your field and related areas is one of the most important ways to develop your skills. This can be achieved both through events, such as seminars and courses, and more informally via a chat over lunch or coffee.
How Basepoint Supports New Business Owners
When you move into fully serviced offices at one of Basepoint’s business centres, some of the worries of running a company will be taken out of your hands right away. The management team deals with many aspects of housekeeping, meaning you can concentrate on the job of running your own business. IT support is also available on site, so you can get help quickly if needed. One big advantage of our offices for let is that we offer flexible terms, meaning you don’t need to be tied down for long periods, and can move into larger units within the centre as your business grows.
Another major advantage is that you will be in a centre alongside other small business owners, offering valuable opportunities to build relationships. At Basepoint, we organise a whole range of networking events, and you can also meet staff from other businesses within the centre informally in our breakout areas. People renting virtual offices also have full use of the breakout areas and are invited to all the centre events. Our serviced meeting rooms are ideal for talking to clients in a professional atmosphere, and will help you to create the right impression.
Basepoint offers serviced office rentals in Tewkesbury, Bournemouth, Camberley, Folkstone, and other towns across the UK. Get in touch now to find out more about our range of services.
See what our customers say
“Basepoint is much more than a great place to work, it’s a business community with an excellent network. The other tenants are really friendly, it’s lovely to meet up over coffee or lunch in the communal areas and talk about our businesses. The Basepoint team are fantastic.”
Cara Miller, Miller Wash Associates (Ipswich)
